By: Nona Mitoyan and Tania Sisilian

The Preamble A preamble is the opening statement in a document that explains the document's purpose. The preamble doesn't not assign powers of the Federal Government. Some people say it’s the evidence of our founding fathers such as Alexander Hamilton.

13th, 14th, 15th amendment Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868, and granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed. In addition, it forbids states from denying any person "life, liberty or property, without due process of law".

The Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the United States Congress. The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. In addition, there are 6 non-voting members. Legislative Branch

Executive Branch Including members of the armed forces, the Executive Branch employs more than 4 million Americans. The power of the Executive Branch is in the President of the United States, who also acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch.

The Judicial Branch Where the Executive and Legislative branches are elected by the people, members of the Judicial Branch are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the land and the only part of the federal judiciary specifically required by the Constitution.

The system of checks and balances is a part of our Constitution. It guarantees that no part of the government becomes too powerful. The executive branch can veto the law, making it harder for the legislative branch to pass the law. Checks and Balances

Judicial Review Judicial review is a court’s power to review Judicial review is the final word by a government institution on a law’s validity. Judicial review has three functions. First, it allows justice to be served Second, courts monitor the performance of lower courts. Third, important arguments regarding the law are examined and resolved. This third function is the concern of higher courts.

The Separation of Powers Separation of powers serves several goals. Separation pr events concentration of power and provides each branch with weapons to fight off encroachment by the other two branches.

James Madison At his inauguration, James Madison, appeared old and worn; Washington Irving described him as "but a withered little apple-John." Madison made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.